Shoe lace



May 15, 1928. 1,669,537

A. SCHAFFER SHOE LACE Filed June 9. 1927 INVENTOR fl/eXalaQ er Jerky/ 1 B Y W TTORNEY Patented May 15, 1928. p

ALEXANDER SCEAIFFEB, NEW YORK, Y.

SHOE LACE.

Application med June 9,

This invention relates generally to shoes, and has more particular reference to novel laces therefor.

The invention has for an object the provision of laces for shoes, which may be laced into the shoes, and which obviate the necessity of loosening said laces upon placing the shoes on the feet of a wearer, or removing the shoes from the feet of the wearer.

The invention has for a further object the provision of laces of the-class'described, which can be manufactured and sold at areasonable cost, andwhichare convenient and desirable in use. I

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference-will-be had to the-following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention Iare more particularly set forth.

Referring. to the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe'having the invention device applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of'Fig. 1. r

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view ofFig.1. Y

Fig. 4 is a pers ective view of a shoe lace constructed accor ing to this invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 4 but disclosing a modification of the invention. I Fig. 6 is a top elevational view of the ending disc of the shoe lace as used in the invention. I

Fig. 7 is a top elevational view of an ending disc constructed according to a modification of the invention. i

Fig. 8 is atop elevational view of another modified form' of an ending disc.

The reference numeral 10 indicates generallyashoe having flaps 11 designed to be laced together. Elastic lace material 12 is provided with a split eyelet 13 clamped onto one end and a metallic tip 14 clamped onto the other end. The fla s' 11 have the customary holes 15 reinforce by eyelets 16.

The tip 14 1s passed through the eyelets 16 so that the eyelet 13 is disposed beneath the lowermost aperture 12 on one flap 11 and the tip 14 of, another. lace is passed through the lowermost eyelet 16 of the other flap 11. The laces are then laced in any customary manner until the top eyelets 16 are reached. Ending discs 17 are forced .the lace 12.

1927. Serial Io. 197,588.

onto the laces at points adjacent the said top eyelets 16, and the portions of the laces past these ending discs are cut off. The laces are preferably laced so that the ending discs 17 are beneath the flaps 11. The ending discs 17 consist of circular members having a pair of cutouts 18 entered from opposite sides thereof, and the method of attachment to the laces includes the stretching of the laces so that they become very thin, the widths of the cutouts 18 just accommodate the laces when in this stretched condition and the laces are passed through the cutouts as shown in Fig. 4. Upon releasing the laces return to their normal diameters and thus firmly hold the end discs. Near the center of the discs, the cutout portions are enlarged to accommodate the lace '12 and the latter is lain in indentation 18', in the center of the disc between the cutout portions.

The modification illustrated in Fig. 5 discloses an eyelet 13" that has no split, on the lace 12, and a wedge. pin member 19 forced into the eyelet firmly holding the eyelet to the lace 12. A hook 19, integral'with the eyelet, may also be provided for the same purpose."

Fig. 7 discloses an end disc 17 formed with three cutouts 18, two entered from one side, and one-entered from the other side and betwee'n the firstimentioned cutouts.

' Fig. 8 discloses another end disc 17 provided v with clamped members 20 having notches 21 and hingedly connected as at 22. Fingers 23 project from the members 20, and springs 24 act against these fingers to normally urge the clamp members in closed position. Struck-out stops 25 from the clamp disc 17 determining'the closed position of the clamp members. The springs 24 are engaged on pins 26, projecting from the disc 17 and between pins disc 17. The disc 17 has the usual pair of cutouts 18. The clamp members 20 are somewhat flexible so that the stop members 25 may be members to swing open for the insertion of Theoperation of the invention consists in applyinglaces as described to shoes. -Once these laces are applied to slices they need not be'loosened to ermit the removal of the shoes from wearers feet, or the placing of shoes on said feet. The shoes are removed 27 also projecting from the pressed down to allow the clamp by merely forcing the shoe from the foot, the laces l2 stretchin and allowing this. The shoe may be rep aced on the foot by manually forcing flaps 11 apart, and again the stretching of the laces allow this. It is readily seen that no time is lost in needless lacing of shoe laces, and at the same time, the shoe is firmly held on the foot of a wearer by laces.

claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with an elastic lace, of an end disc formed with cutouts entered from opposite sides and of a width to accommodate the lace when in stretched conditions, and laced between the cutouts.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with .an elastic lace, of an end disc formed with cutouts entered from opposite sides and of a width to accommodate the lace when in stretched conditions and laced between the cutouts, and clamping means for acting against the laces.

3. In a device of the class described, the

combination with an elastic lace, of anend disc formed with a plurality of cutouts entered from opposite sides and of a width to accommodate the lace' when in'stretched conditions, and laced between the cutouts.

4. An ending disc for elastic laces comprising a circular member having cutouts entered from opposite sides thereof, and of a width to accommodate the laces when in stretched condition and laced between the cutouts.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

ALEXANDER SCHAFFER. 

